machinate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "machinate" is correct and usable in written English.
To machinate is to plot or scheme, typically in a secret and underhanded manner, so it can be used when referring to a secret plan or scheme. For example, you could say: The mayor and her cronies machinated a way to line their own pockets with public funds.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For most people, however, assisted suicide remains difficult and expensive and requires the ability to machinate around medical standards and the law.

The New Yorker

The documents also expose one of the ways in which the Senate House managers have sought to make outsourcing tenable: by appearing to machinate against contracted-out workers with the very trade union that is meant to be representing them.

The Guardian

But that would mean saying goodbye to her idyllic cobbled street, with the canal in front filled with pleasure boats, the hippy haven of Freetown Christiania a few blocks behind, and the Danish parliament — where Borgen's Kasper and Katrine conspire and machinate — just a two-minute cycle-hop across the bridge.

The Guardian

Critics on all sides have until the end of June to lobby, manoeuvre and machinate for its undoing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The party talks green and sometimes even acts tough, but all the while it has been machinating to prevent the growth of an environmental movement.

The Economist

The Prince of Wales, having machinated to block Rogers Stirk Harbour's scheme for Chelsea Barracks, held back from putting the royal boot in this time.

Independent

Drop-dead striking in her silken dove-grey gowns, McTeer's fine Merteuil insinuates and machinates in a sinisterly breathy, mock-soothing manner, her eyes a-glare with scheming circumspection and latent with injury.

Independent

Though Jonah (or, in the words of Mr. Klain, "being an obnoxious, pompous jerk") may be the prototype that has most pervaded the Washington lexicon, almost every character on the show can serve as a convenient nickname for a certain overly eager, overly machinating and overly self-promoting Washington staff member.

The New York Times

Paralyzed, Mugabe (Michael Rogers, whose performance builds from slow burn to full-on conflagration) and his wife (a machinating Rosalyn Coleman) send not for a traditional healer but for Dr. Peric, who has treated other Zimbabweans afflicted by unwelcome spirits.

The New York Times

The movie's premise – that Hamlet's true female identity has been hidden from the Danish court by a machinating Gertrude – is eccentric, but Nielsen plays it to the hilt, offering a delectably offbeat, gamine, funny, possibly bisexual hero ine) in the mould of groundbreaking 19th-century stars such as Charlotte Cushman and Sarah Bernhardt.

The Guardian

Again like Wotan , Sachsis an authority figure with a streak of the revolutionary, machinating against the establishment in favor of a new order, represented in "Die Meistersinger" by Walther von Stolzing, a young knight who sings songs as his heart prompts him rather than according to codified rules.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the register of your writing when using "machinate". While grammatically correct, it has a slightly formal and sophisticated tone, making it suitable for news articles and academic papers, but possibly less appropriate for casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "machinate" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound pretentious or out of place in less serious settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "machinate" is as a verb, describing the act of plotting or scheming. As Ludwig AI also points out, it suggests devising a secret plan, often with negative connotations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "machinate" is a grammatically correct verb that describes the act of plotting or scheming, typically in a secretive and underhanded way. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, particularly when referring to secret or deceitful plans. While it is considered relatively formal and more appropriate for news articles and professional contexts, overusing it in casual conversation might sound pretentious. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, authoritative news sources like The Guardian, The New Yorker, and The New York Times frequently employ the term. Alternatives like "conspire", "scheme", and "plot" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you want to express. Use "machinate" to convey disapproval or suspicion towards a carefully crafted and potentially deceitful plan.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conspire

This alternative emphasizes a joint effort in plotting, differing from "machinate" which can imply individual planning.

scheme

This alternative is a more general term for planning, lacking the strong implication of deception found in "machinate".

plot

Similar to "scheme", but often implies a more elaborate and potentially malicious plan compared to "machinate".

intrigue

Implies secret planning, but can also suggest a sense of mystery or fascination, which is not always present in "machinate".

cabal

Refers to a secret political clique or faction, emphasizing group dynamics rather than individual planning like "machinate".

collude

Focuses on secret cooperation for an illegal or deceitful purpose, which may be absent in the broader meaning of "machinate".

contrive

This alternative focuses on inventiveness and skill to create or bring about something, while "machinate" focuses on plotting to achieve a goal.

hatch a plan

Suggests the beginning stages of planning, while "machinate" implies a more developed and potentially intricate scheme.

formulate a strategy

Emphasizes a thoughtful and methodical approach to planning, lacking the negative connotations of deception in "machinate".

engineer

This alternative implies skillful planning and manipulation, often to achieve a specific outcome, similar to the underhanded nature of "machinate".

FAQs

How can I use "machinate" in a sentence?

The word "machinate" is used to describe the act of plotting or scheming, usually in a secret or underhanded way. For instance, "The politicians were accused of machinating to overthrow the government."

What words are similar to "machinate"?

Synonyms for "machinate" include "conspire", "scheme", and "plot". Choose the best fit depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "machinate" a formal word?

Yes, "machinate" is considered a relatively formal word. It's more commonly found in written texts, especially news articles and academic papers, than in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "machinate" and "plan"?

"Plan" is a general term for devising a course of action, while "machinate" implies a secret, often deceitful, plan. If the planning involves underhanded methods, "machinate" is more appropriate.